Tx-10-g-l-11-9-12-5

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Oenothera drummondii  identified as TX-12-5 characterized by 1) a propensity for free flowering (numerous flowers over an extended time and range of photoperiods), 2) a low spreading growth habit (typically less than 30 cm tall) with a dense canopy of foliage, 3) a grey-green shade of foliage compared to the green of most of the species, and 4) consistently bright yellow flowers.

Botanical classification: Oenothera drummondii.

Varietal denomination: TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO COPENDING APPLICATIONS

n/a

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Oenotheradrummondii plant, botanically known as Oenothera drummondiiTX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 (herein referred to by the experimental designationTX-12-5). The market class of Oenothera drummondii is an evergreen tosemi-evergreen perennial subshrub. The plant will be used as a beddingplant, groundcover, herbaceous perennial color, or low shrub where coldhardy or it is rapid enough growing to serve as a summer annual inregions where cold winters do not permit its survival year-round.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The TX-12-5 cultivar of Oenothera drummondii is characterized as tonovelty and is otherwise noteworthy by low spreading dense growth habit,grey-green foliage color, free flowering propensity, bright yellow colorof the large flowers, and ease of rooting of vegetative stem cuttings.Currently, no cultivars of this species are available in the U.S.A.nursery trade.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present Oenothera was the result of recurrent mass selection effortsafter initial collection of promising phenotypes from wild populations.

Oenothera drummondii TX-12-5 is a result of a clonal selection fromamong the third-generation populations of seedlings derived fromrecurrent mass selection procedures. Initial collections of promisingphenotypes based on aesthetic qualities such as foliage color, floweringpropensity, and growth habit were collected from across the Texascoastal range of Oenothera drummondii (Carver, 2015). These phenotypeswere then screened in replicated trials in both field and containernursery environments for growth rates, flowering, and aestheticqualities (Carver et al., 2016). From these screening efforts, openpollinated (male parent) seed was collected from a particularlypromising test clone TX-10 (not patented) (female parent) originatingfrom wild collections in 2010 from near Jamaica Beach on the Texas GulfCoast. This seed was grown out and screened for the most promisingphenotypes. From this population, a test seedling TX-10-G-L-11-9 (notpatented) was selected. Seedling TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 was selected fromseedlings of TX-10-G-L-11-9 and vegetatively propagated to test itsstability across several environments. Trials with this genotype wereconducted at several locations in Texas and then through materialtransfer agreements with EuroAmerican Propagators, tested in California,Chicago, and Florida to determine performances outside Texas. Theoriginal TX-10 phenotype from the wild collection exhibited a propensityfor free flowering, but had a tall, looser, open habit and leaves thatwere green rather than the blue-green or grey-green compared to some ofthe other collected genotypes. This cultivar shows considerably lessproblems with root rots compared to the second-generation prior maternalparent plant. TX 12-5 is lower growing, denser of canopy, the foliagemore blue-green, and sepals have a red stripe orange-red margin (R.H.S.N34A) than TX-10. Thus, the lower growing habit and more grey or bluishtint to the foliage are likely due to pollen contribution from othercollected phenotypes during the recurrent mass selection process.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Trials with Oenothera drummondii TX-12-5 were conducted at several TexasA&M AgriLife Research locations in Texas and then through materialtransfer agreements with EuroAmerican Propagators, where it was testedin California, Chicago, and Florida to determine performances outsideTexas. The plant has been evaluated during the period from 2012-2016.This evaluation clearly demonstrated that the plants were true to thedistinguishing characteristics of the parents in all observable aspects.Size and growth habits are estimated from two- to three-year-old plantsgrowing in-ground where they have reached mature sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of Oenothera drummondii is illustrated by theaccompanying photographic drawings and depicts the plant by the bestpossible color representation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1. Color photograph of top view of flower.

FIG. 2. Color photograph of side view of flower including sepals.

FIG. 3. Color photograph of leaves.

FIG. 4. Color photograph of developing flower buds.

FIG. 5. Color photograph of three-month old plants in summer.

FIG. 6. Color photograph of mature plants in winter.

FIG. 7. Color photograph illustrating red stem color at nodes in coolseason.

FIG. 8. Color photograph comparing leave shapes and surfaces ofTX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 in comparison to those of clones O-13 and O-6.

FIG. 9. Comparison of new growth of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 in comparison tothose of clones O-13 and O-6 illustrating broader leaves, shorterinternodes, and more bud breaks of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5.

FIGS. 10A and 10B. Comparison of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 petals, flowers,and sepals with those of O-13.

FIG. 11. Showing differential growth and flowering amongTX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, O-13, and O-6 in a Phytophthora infested trial bed.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new variety. Thefollowing traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to bethe unique characteristics: 1) a propensity for free flowering (numerousflowers over an extended time and range of photoperiods) with stronglyoverlapping petals forming a cup-shaped flower and orange-red margins onthe sepals, 2) a low spreading growth habit (typically less than 30 cmtall) with a dense canopy of foliage, 3) a grey-green shade of foliagecompared to the green of most of the species, 4) consistently brightyellow flowers, 5) good field tolerance in Phytophthora infested soils,and 6) leaves broader in relation to their length than is typical of thespecies.

All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. ColourChart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society ofGreat Britain. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticulturalpractices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

PLANT

-   Type: Evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial subshrub; life    expectancy varies by location but typically is 3 to 5 years in    cultivated landscapes where winters are not severe (USDA hardiness    zones 8b to 13); can be grown as a summer annual in colder climates.-   Classification: A vegetatively propagated cultivar derived from the    species Oenothera drummondii Hook (not patented); this species is    commonly known as beach evening primrose or coast evening primrose.-   Origin: Original genotypes for the breeding efforts were obtained    from collections from wild plants native throughout the Texas Gulf    Coast from 26.06.879 N latitude to 29.40.203 N latitude then    subjected to sequences of recurrent mass selection and finally    clonal selection.-   Parentage: The original female parent TX-10 originated from wild    collections in 2010 from near Jamaica Beach (29.06.698 N latitude,    95.04.956 W longitude) on the Texas Gulf Coast. Male parents were    uncertain as subsequent generations were obtained from open    pollinated seeds; however due to the isolated plantings where the    recurrent mass selection occurred, the male parents would be derived    in some combination from genetic materials originating from along    the Texas Gulf coast as these where the only Oenothera drummondii    genotypes with pollination range. Given the infusion of genes for    the grey shading in the foliage as indicated in attached figures,    most likely at least one male parent would have been from the    southern portion of the Texas Gulf Coast which is where the denser    pubescence resulting in the grey-green foliage is more predominant    (Carver, 2015; Carver et al., 2016). Although the original female    parent TX-10 no longer exists, images of two other advanced clonal    selections in our program, O-10 and O-6, are included for comparison    of leaf shapes and stem characteristics. Images of O-10 flowers are    included for comparison to those of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 to    illustrate the petal overlap and unique orange-red sepal    characteristics of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5. Oenothera drummondii is    currently a seldom encountered species commercially in the trade and    no known cultivars have previously been introduced from this species    of which we can ascertain.-   Propagation: Oenothera drummondii roots in very high percentages    under intermittent mist within 10 to 14 of sticking cuttings in 100%    perlite substrate (King, 2015). Cuttings should be removed very soon    after adventitious rooting occurs on the stems or fungal rots may    occur if left under the mist too long. Substrate and fertility    experiments indicate that various combinations of pine bark, peat    moss, and perlite can be used to successfully grow plants in    container culture (King, 2015). The combinations with approximately    equal volumes of peat, perlite, and bark were suitable and this    corresponds to the typical composition of many commercial nursery    crop substrates.-   Form: The density of foliage and horizontal crisscrossing of    branching creates a solid canopy as a low groundcover.-   Mature habit: Low spreading dense canopy typically under 30 cm tall    with branches originating from a woody base in contrast with the    species in general which can reach up to 1 m in height (Richardson,    1990). FIG. 5 depicts TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, illustrating distinctive    low growth habit.-   Growth: Vigor is strong with growth occurring rapidly under    favorable conditions; plants require well drained soils and sunny    locations but will survive in partial shaded locations; greenhouse    substrates should be well aerated with good drainage, but plants are    soil pH-adaptable and originate from coastal locations, with    salinity tolerance to irrigation with water containing half the    salinity of seawater (Carver, 2015).-   Foliage: Leaves of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 are simple, evergreen to    semi-evergreen, narrowly ovate to narrowly obovate; leaves of    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 are generally broader in relation to their    length in comparison to those of other clones within the species    which have more elongated leaves that are frequently obovate to    nearly spatulate in shape and narrower in relation to their length    as illustrated in the attached images; margins are entire to    irregularly and very shallowly serrate, venation is pinnate, lightly    impressed above and slightly to noticeably raised beneath; the    background green of the leaves is covered to a greater or lesser    degree of white to silver-white (R.H.S. N155A) hairs resulting in a    slightly grey-green (R.H.S. N138B to N138C) overall leaf color above    and slightly darker beneath (R.H.S. 147B). The density of foliage    and horizontal crisscrossing of branching creates a solid canopy as    a low groundcover which appears denser than the species type. FIG. 6    depicts TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, illustrating distinct low dense canopy    (in winter). FIG. 8 is a comparison of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, O-13,    and O-6 leaf shapes and upper and lower surfaces, illustrating the    broader width to length of leaves of TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 in    comparison to O-13, and O-6. FIG. 9 is a comparison of    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, O-13, and O-6 new growth illustrating the    denser foliage and broader width to length of leaves of    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 in comparison to that of O-13, and O-6.    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Form.—Simple, narrowly ovate, or more commonly narrowly            obovate leaves.        -   Size.—Mature length on most young cutting propagated plants            is 2 to 6 cm, but older more established plants can have            narrow oblanceolate leaves to 13 cm long; leaf width its            widest location typically ranges from 1 to 2 cm regardless            of the length.        -   Margins.—Entire to irregularly and very, very shallowly            serrate.        -   Color.—Top: light grey-green (R.H.S. N138B to N138C).        -   Color.—Bottom: medium grey-green (R.H.S. N147B).        -   Veins.—Venation is pinnate, lightly impressed above and            slightly to noticeably raised beneath; veins are similar in            color above and beneath the leaf with yellow-green (R.H.S.            154D) on main veins with grey-green (R.H.S. N138B) smaller            veins.        -   Petiole.—Acute and 5 mm or less on new growth, maturing to            10 mm to 40 mm on older established plants, cuneate, light            grey-green (R.H.S. N138B).        -   Form.—Low, typically less than 30 cm, with a spread of 60 to            90 cm during the first growing season; where grown as a            perennial spread may reach 120 cm.        -   Stipules.—None.-   Stem: Mostly horizontal or arching in orientation, new growth of    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 is 5 to 7 mm in diameter, rounded in    cross-section; the yellow-green (R.H.S. 145B) new stems may become    flushed greyed-red (R.H.S. 181A) on upper surfaces as they age; this    greyed-red color is often present at the base of buds on the nodes    in comparison to the typical green of the species as illustrated in    accompanying figures; vegetative buds tiny, hidden in the leaf axils    until elongating; flower buds; mature stems eventually smooth with    slight exfoliation bark with a greyed-yellow (R.H.S. 161C) to    greyed-orange (R.H.S. 165B) color. FIG. 3 depicts    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, illustrating a red flush on mature stems in    cool weather. FIG. 4 depicts flower bud development of    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5. FIG. 7 illustrates the red portion of the stem    at nodes, often present in cool weather.-   Branching habit: Long arching to horizontal branches that crisscross    to form a solid canopy.-   Height: Typically less than 30 cm.

FLOWER

-   Blooming habit: Single large flowers held on long hypathia with the    lower portion swelling to form the elongated cylindrical    capsule-like fruits.-   Corolla: Consisting of four petals attached to a common base with    the sepals.    -   -   Shape.—Cup to saucer-shaped arrangement of petals which are            not united.-   Calyces: Initially four sepals are united to enclose the    yellow-green (R.H.S. 144D) flower bud, later splitting along the    margins to peel back as the flower opens.    -   -   Number of sepals.—Four.        -   Color.—(R.H.S. 144D).-   Filaments: Eight in number, 14 to 16 mm long filament attaching    midpoint to the anther; Color: (R.H.S. 2A).-   Stamens: Eight in number, T-shaped, 14 to 16 mm long filament    attaching midpoint to a 6 or 7 mm long thin cylindrical anther    (R.H.S. 2A), total length is 15 to 18 mm attaching at the fused base    of the petals and calyx.-   Pistil: A 35 mm tall, strongly erect, very slender 1 to 2 mm    diameter style is topped by a four lobbed stigma. The lobes are 1 mm    in diameter, cylindrical, and held at a 45- to 90-degree angle to    the style, both the style and stigma are of similar color as the    petals (R.H.S. 2A).-   Pollen: Viscin threads and clumping, similar in color to the    staminal column (R.H.S. 2A).-   Petalage: Four petals attached at the base of the inflorescence to a    fused small common base with the four subtending acuminate sepals    which are initially in a conical, approximately 2.5 cm long, bud    (R.H.S. 144D) are a fused calyx which split fully or incompletely    along their margins and recurve; sepals are 2.5 to 3.0 cm long and    taper from a 5 to 8 mm diameter base to a 1 to 2 mm tip and are a    light green (R.H.S. 154A to 154B) with a 0.5 to 1.0 mm orange-red    margin (R.H.S. N34A) except at the very tip which remains green    (R.H.S. N134B). This orange-red margin on the sepals is unique to    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 and is not typically observed on other genotypes    within Oenothera drummondii. FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 flower, illustrating the unique features of    overlapping petals forming a cup-shaped flower and the distinctive    orange-red margins on the sepals and subtending grey-green foliage    color. FIG. 10A depicts O-13, with arrows noting a separation of    petals, lack of red suture lines on sepals. FIG. 10B depicts    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, with arrows noting mostly overlapping petals    and red margins on sepals.    -   -   Shape.—Broadly ovate with a rounded to slightly emarginate            tip and broadly acute base, margins are entire except at the            tips where they may be minutely ruffled, the two vertical            halves of the petal are slightly concave resulting in a            shallow scooped inner side of the petals.        -   Size.—Petals are 3.0 to 3.5 cm in length by 3.5 to 4.0 cm in            width at the broadest locations.        -   Aspect.—Overlapping to form a cup to open saucer-shaped            bloom which differs from the separate petals of the species            type which often overlap only slightly or have small gaps            between the petal margins. FIG. 1 depicts a            TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 flower from above, illustrating            overlapping petals.        -   Texture.—Soft.        -   Color.—Waxy bright yellow (R.H.S. 2A) or sometimes after            pollinated fading to a light tangerine orange color as they            senesce.-   Flower: The showy prominent petals, elongated pistil and stamens are    all the same bright yellow (R.H.S. 2A) in color creating a highly    conspicuous flower which typically opens in the late afternoon or    evening and remains open into the next day or may remain open for    several days; warm bright sunny days often shorten bloom period,    whereas overcast cooler days result in the flower remaining open for    longer periods; flowering of this cultivar appears to exhibit less    of a photoperiodic response than the species type, flowering appears    to be primarily limited by colder temperatures.-   Hypathium: 5.0 to 5.5 cm long, cylindrical, 3 to 4 mm wide at the    flower base, becoming swollen and ridged on the basal 2.0 to 2.5 cm    as the seed capsule begins to develop; color grades from a yellow    (R.H.S. 4C) close to the petals to a yellow-green (R.H.S. 149C) at    the base.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS & CULTURE

-   Blooming period: Where temperatures permit, bloom occurs most of the    year, bloom seems to be somewhat photoperiodic on the species type    with greater bloom in long days/short nights, however    TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 appears to be more free flowering, continuing to    flower under shorter photoperiods than the species in general. FIG.    5 depicts TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5, illustrating free flowering    propensities (in spring).-   Hardiness: Used as a summer annual in colder zones, but it has    proven reliably winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8b, protected    portions of 8a, through 13; established plants have survived 14° F.    without significant injury.-   Character in winter dormancy: Partially deciduous or semi-evergreen    in colder margins of its hardiness zone, but where winter hardy it    is typically evergreen.-   Fragrance: None.-   Disease resistance: The species is prone to Phytophthora    infestations in poorly drained soils or in heavy wet artificial    substrates; this cultivar appears to be similar to, or somewhat less    susceptible, than the species; TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 shows    considerably less problems with root rots compared to the    second-generation prior maternal parent plant and advanced clonal    selections O-13 and O-6. FIG. 10 depicts TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 (front    row, all vigorous and blooming), O-6 (middle row, all dead), and    O-13 (last row, one plant still alive on far-right hand side with    few blooms) growing in a Phytophthora infested trial bed.-   Vigor: Vigor is strong with growth occurring rapidly under favorable    conditions.-   Breaking action: Stems elongate quickly with fairly long internodes,    pinching during production increases earlier branching.-   Rooting: Rooting occurs rapidly with or without auxin applications    under light intermittent mist; well rooted cuttings can be produced    from 7 to 10 cm terminal shoot cuttings within 10 to 14 days; best    rooting is in a light, well aerated substrate such as 100% coarse    perlite; leaving cuttings in mist benches for any significant    period-of-time after rooting occurs often results in root rots and    cutting mortality.-   Growth regulator: None is required during rooting of shoot cuttings;    best adventitious rooting of terminal shoot cuttings occurred    without application of auxins or supplemental bottom heat (King,    2015). Paclobutrazol in the range of 30-35 mg active ingredient per    2.3-L container applied as a substrate drench should be effective in    achieving approximately a one-third reduction in height and    tightening up of the plant by reducing lateral internode extension    and overall growth indices without overly stunting the plant during    production (Carver, 2015).-   Shipping tolerance: Rooted cuttings ship well; larger plants ship    well if canopies are protected from breakage. Although the new    variety TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5 of Oenothera drummondii possesses the    described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions    prevailing in central and south Texas, it will be understood that    variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to    the changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest    control are to be expected.

REFERENCES

Anon. 2001. R.H.S. Colour Chart. 4^(th) Ed. The Royal Hort. Soc.,London.

Carver, S. T. 2015. Evaluating the Ornamental Potentials of Four NativeTexas Coastal Species. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M University, CollegeStation, Tex. p. 155.

Carver, S. T., M. A. Arnold, D. H. Byrne, R. D. Lineberger, A. R. King,and A. R. Armitage. 2016. Variation in vegetative and floralcharacteristics of potential commercial significance in four nativeTexas coastal species. Phytologia 98(4): 250-276.

King, Andrew R. 2015. Ph.D. Investigating asexual propagation, containerproduction, drought tolerance, and marketing strategies of five nativeTexas species. Ph.D. Dissertation, Texas A&M University, CollegeStation, Tex. p. 300.

Richardson, A. 1990. Plants for Southmost Texas. Gorgas ScienceFoundation, Inc., Brownsville, Tex. p. 298.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Oenothera drummondii plant,substantially as illustrated and described herein.